Blagged myself a job I'm not qualified for

[YellowRock]

I've been offered a job, that required a degree and experience within an area that I don't have. I have no degree, I don't even have a-levels. I do have 8 years experience in a very similar area, but not exact and at a basic administrative level. I'm going to be managing 3 people too, which I have no experience with.

This is a proper career opportunity, not just another admin job like I've gone between for years. I'm 27, so relatively young for such a good opportunity to arise especially as I've all done is admin and I've also got young DC. I've gone from being elated to feeling sick. It was a very good interview, I studied my arse off for it and they said how impressed they were with the amount of time I'd clearly put in to researching the role, so it's not a total mystery why they hired me but I do have complete imposter syndrome and I'm just thinking I won't be able to do it.

Not sure why I'm posting, reassurance maybe, Eeek!

They obviously think you're great - now you need to start believing it!

They will have given you the job based on you. If they think you're right then you're right for it. Do NOT get all insecure and micromanage or unknowingly show off because of it.

I suggest sitting down before you start and reminding yourself of your strengths as well as having a little think about what you've appreciated from the better managers you've had.

I'd echo what the previous poster has said about not mentioning to your reports that you've not managed before. Don't make it into a bigger thing than it is.
Listen and watch, recognise the strengths of your team and give them the responsibility to run with them. Publicly celebrate their achievements, privately chat with them about how to improve.
Prepare for meetings well. Read everything you can.

Most importantly though always always ask questions. If you don't understand something or some acronym ask. If you think you've got it but aren't certain - clarify. Don't be afraid of looking stupid, be keen to learn.

You'll be great!

Dd has got loads of jobs that on paper say they require a degree but really don’t.

It isn’t just about paperwork but people’s skills and confidence and you cannot really take a degree in those type of things.

A lot of jobs/careers now say you have to have a degree that didn’t years ago.
The job itself hasn’t fundamentally changed enough that you need a degree to do I think it is just away of some companies filtering out candidates if they can’t be bothered to read a cv

Well when I recruit people I'm looking for intelligence, dependability and attitude. If someone has the potential to be good at a role, they can learn the necessary skills. They clearly thought this about you or they wouldn't have offered you the job.
Some of my most successful & smart friends don't have degrees. Experience can be far more useful sometimes.

Go for it OP! You've got this. Well done you 🙌

Went for my first interview (long time ago now!) and it was obvious that everyone else was better qualified and more experienced than me. They didn't offer it to me - but they did offer me another, very similar job. They were so impressed with my attitude.

Fast forward a few months, I was doing well, the person who was given the job was floundering. I knew I lacked experience and wasn't afraid to work hard to make up for that - she was too confident.

When a promotion came up we both applied - I was given the job.

Attitude goes a long way, and they clearly like yours. Enjoy your new position!

You'll never know until you try. Plus maybe look into doing some sort of formal training if the opportunity arises.

Plenty of people own successful businesses and manage a team without any formal management training. A lot of it is just common sense.

Maybe ask for a mentor? Or join a few management groups on Facebook where you can post your dilemmas anonymously to avoid making rookie errors. Any kind of management or leadership can be a lonely place sometimes so make sure you have plenty of support.

Good luck!

Congratulations. You already know where you lack experience so you know which skills you need to develop and you know the field already so at least you don't have that hurdle.

I worked with someone once who didn't have he usual experience for the job she was offered, my colleagues were sceptical about her ability to do the job when they found out she's been appointed over candidates who, were on paper, more suitable but she was brilliant at the job. She was also 10 years younger than most people appointed into the type of role she was offered.

You can do this.

There could be a lot of different things going on here and a lot depends on role / sector.

Zero management experience to managing a team of three isn't something I'd advocate at all.

You could have absolutely aced the interview process and go on to be totally amazing.

You were cheap compared to the more experienced candidate.

There were no other candidates.

This is a great opportunity for you. It’s great that while you don’t have exactly everything they ideally would want, they see your potential and also that you are willing to learn about the area of work, the role, the team etc . Also personality and feeling that someone can contribute and make a difference to a team is great. Go for it!